Oh, how noble his mind used to be, and how lost he is now! He used
to have a gentleman’s grace, a scholar’s wit,
and a soldier’s strength. He used to be the jewel of our
country, the obvious heir to the throne, the one everyone admired
and imitated. And now he has fallen so low! And of all the miserable
women who once enjoyed hearing his sweet, seductive words, I am the
most miserable. A mind that used to sing so sweetly is now
completely out of tune, making harsh sounds instead of fine notes.
The unparalleled appearance and nobility he had in the full bloom of
his youth has been ruined by madness. O, how miserable I am to see
Hamlet now and know what he was before!

CLAUDIUS and
POLONIUS come forward

CLAUDIUS and
POLONIUS come forward.

165

170

175

CLAUDIUS

Love? His affections do not that way tend.

Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,

Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul

O'er which his melancholy sits on brood,

And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose

Will be some danger—which for to prevent,

I have in quick determination

Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England

For the demand of our neglected tribute.

Haply the seas and countries different

With variable objects shall expel

This something-settled matter in his heart,

Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus

From fashion of himself. What think you on ’t?

CLAUDIUS

Love? His feelings don’t move in that direction. And
his words, although they were a little disorganized,
weren’t crazy. No, his sadness is hatching something,
like a hen does sitting on an egg. What hatches very well may be
dangerous. So to prevent any harm being done, I’ve made a
quick executive decision: he’ll be sent to England to try
to get back the money they owe us. With any luck, the sea and new
countries will push out these thoughts that have somehow taken root
in his mind. What do you think of this plan?

POLONIUS

It shall do well. But yet do I believe

The origin and commencement of his grief

Sprung from neglected love.—How now, Ophelia?

You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said.

POLONIUS

It should work. But I still believe that his madness was caused by
unrequited love.—Hello, Ophelia. You don’t
have to tell us what Lord Hamlet said.